WASPI campaigners (Women Against State Pension Inequality) are set to present their arguments for compensation to MPs again. The women will make their case before the Work and Pensions Committee, which plays a crucial role in overseeing the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The session follows last month’s announcement by the Labour Government that there would be no compensation for the women born in the 1950s who were impacted by the state pension age increase from 60 to 65, and then to 66. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman found there was ‘maladministration’ regarding the DWP’s communication of the changes, with many women claiming they were unaware of the change, pensions minister Liz Kendall stated in the Commons that compensatory payouts would not be made.
She stated that most women were aware of the pension age change and said providing compensation would not be a prudent use of taxpayers’ money.
Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI campaign, commented on the forthcoming meeting: “That will be an opportunity for us to talk to the committee about what are our options now, what we would like to happen now. The select committee is part of the Government process. They are the people who hold the Department of Work and Pensions to account.
“A letter from them or a request from them has to be taken seriously by the department.” The evidence meeting is scheduled for January 22.
The previous version of the committee under the Tory-led Government had shown support for compensation. One of its members was Labour’s Debbie Abrahams, who now sits as chair of the current committee.
Numerous MPs have long championed the cause for compensation, with the Liberal Democrats and SNP making it their party policy. Ms Madden emphasised the need to brief the new committee after the Government’s decision not to offer compensation. She commented: “Circumstances have definitely changed since the announcement for us.
“We want to help the committee who are responsible for the DWP hold them to account.” In the wake of the Government’s stance against WASPI payouts, MPs who support payouts have created two separate early day motions to demand action.
The first motion decries the refusal and calls for “fair treatment” for the women, garnering the backing of 41 MPs. The second motion, supported by 9 MPs, demands a reversal of this decision.
WASPI campaigners will also be in action this week attending a debate in Westminster Hall on the issue, set for Wednesday, January 15. On this note, Ms Madden said: “We are writing out to all the MPs who support us asking them to go along. I’m sure the independents will be there.”